Technologically Obsolete

One of the first things predicted with the advent of the computer age was eliminating paper. It stands out as one of the greatest prediction blunders. We continue to produce tons of paper. In fact computers created a great surge in the use of paper. Other items have come and gone in short order and many of the following items have been invented, rose, and have fallen out of widespread use during our lifetimes. Some, such as cable TV have become victims of their own success. Here are a few completely or virtually obsolete inventions many of us have known and loved - or hated:

• Backing up to floppy disk or CD
• Calculators
• Calling 411 to find a restaurant or store
• Cathode ray tube monitors and TVs
• Tethered computer terminals
• Dial up internet service
• Eight track tape
• Encyclopedia sets and dictionaries
• Fold up maps and road atlas books
• Separate GPS devices
• Movie rental stores (like Blockbuster)
• Paid e-mail accounts
• Personal digital assistant (like Palm Pilot)
• Personal online privacy
  
• Phone Books
• Non-jet commercial planes
• Punch tape, paper tape, and punched cards
• Typewriters (manual and electric)
• Black and white TV
• VCR (videocassette recorder).
  

Other items that are on the brink of going away include:

• Cable TV
• Physical cables to deliver cable TV (to be replaced by WiFi)
• Camera (non-digital)
• CDs (compact disks)
• Newspaper and magazine classified adds
• Fax Machines (except in medical field)
• Getting film developed
• Landline phones
• Tower PCs (vs laptops)
• Public pay phones and phone booths
• Record stores.
  

Other things we wish would go away include the myriad types of non-standard cables, all cables with big bricks (baluns) at the end, and sticking a needle in us to deliver medicine. Things we wish will never go away include hugs and kisses and smiles. . . oh, and bacon.